Lantern-holder for bicycles



(No Model.)

F. A. JACKSON 8; W. M FRISBIE.

LANTERN HOLDER FOR BICYCLE S. No. 250,737. Patented Dec. 13,1881.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIQE.

FREDERICK A. JACKSON AND WILLIAM M. FRISBIE, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

LANTERN-HOLDER FOR BlCYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,737, dated December 13, 1881.

' Application filed May19.1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK A. JAGK- soN and WILLIAM M. FRIsBIE, citizens of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relating to Lantern-Holders for Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

In night traveling the necessity for a light carried on the velocipede or bicycle at a low point is seriously felt. To meet it lamps have been mounted in the limited space within the main or large wheel, making the same pendent on the revolving axle; but the objections thereto are serious. One is the shadow of the wheel-rim coming exactly in the path where the light is most wanted. Ve attach a lamp on one or both sides of the wheel. In the most complete form of the invention we connect the lamp so rigidly as to prevent vibrations, but provide forits yielding to avoid fracture of any part in case of striking a stone or other object. We make the lamp, with the arm on which it is supported, conveniently attachable and detachable. It may be removed when the bicycle is not required for night service. It can be attached to bicycles or velocipedes already made.

, The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what we consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view. Fig. 2 represents the arm detached. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the upper portion of the arm. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 8 sin Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the lantern attached to its supporting-arm. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the top of the lantern. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line t t in Fig. 6.

Similarletters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is the front or large wheel; 13, the fork or swiveling piece in which it is held. The perch, the saddle, and the rear or small wheels are not shown. All these parts, as also the cranks, the pedals, the handle-bar, 850., may be of any ordinary or suitable construction.

G is a detachable arm, preferably of forged steel. It may be smoothly finished and nickel-plated. It has a cylindrical L-piece, G, at the lower end, with a washer, G and screw G On these is mounted a lamp, P, which may be of the same construction as has been heretofore employed, to embrace the axle and swing in the narrow space within the wheel. The lamp is connected to the L-piece by a hinged clamp, K, opening on the shifting of the hook-shaped bolt L. Leathers J are employed within the clamp to adjust the tightness of the grasp of the lamp on the cylindrical arm G. The force with which the lamp grasps its smoothly-rounded support G is sufficientto hold thelamp against swinging with any ordinary motion of the machine in use; but it is sufficiently loose to allow the lamp to swing or turn on the arm G as a center if brought into violent contact with any object.

The whole is attached to one arm of the fork B by means of a screw-clamp, G formed on the upper end of the arm G, and equipped with screws H H, and also with a key, I. We propose to provide several of these keys I, of different widths, and to substitute one or another, according as the width of the fork to which it is attached may vary. The screws H are of sufficient length to allow a considerable range of dimensions of the fork.

The same form of arm, with its attachments, may apply on either side of the machine. The form shown is, however, more especially in tended to apply on the right side. We propose to furnish two patterns, counterparts of each other, one adapted to go on the right and one on the left.

Modifications may be made in the forms of the parts. \Ve can bend the arm so as to bring the lantern exactly in the plane of the fork. Such a form may be preferable where the same arm is to be used indiscriminately on the two arms of the fork.

Parts of the invention may be used without the whole. WVe can attach the lamp rigidly, taking care to make the arm G in such case sufficiently short to hold the lamp a good dis;

tance above the ground.

We can make the arm G in one piece wlth the fork; but We prefer to make it detachable and to have the lamp turn with considerable friction thereon, as above explained.

We propose to use a concave reflector in the back of the lamp, care being taken to so adjust it that the light will be concentrated on the path.

For cheap forms of the construction the arm G and its attachments maybe malleable castiron painted or japanned.

eclaim as our invention- 1. The arm G, in combination with the fork B of a bicycle and lamp P, arranged to serve as herein specified.

2. The arm Gr, extending downward from the fork B of a bicycle, the horizontal cylindrical L-piece G, and lamp P, with the means, J, for securing the tightness of the grasp of the latter, so as to hold against free swinging, but allow the lamp to turn on striking any ob- 2o stacle, as herein specified.

3. The detachable arm G, with the described provision for carrying the lamp thereon, and having a screw-clamp, G, with screws H H, adapted for ready connection and diseonnec- 25 tion with the fork of a bicycle,as herein specified.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands, at New Haven, Connecticut, this 12th day of May, 1881, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK A. JACKSON. WILLIAM M. FRISBIE. WVitnesses:

FRANK H. AUSTIN, GEO. H. VAN DEWATER. 

